After busy weeks of paying bills, running errands and cleaning a ton of laundry, I start to reminisce about being a kid — a time when the biggest challenge of my day was trying to sleep during Kindergarten nap time. But then I consider how some of the conversations with my 4-year-old typically go.
“Can we get a cake-pop?” she asks. No. “What about a playdate?” Also no. “Can we go to the pool?” “Can I watch a show?” “Just a little one?” No, no and no.
Kindergarteners hear the word “no” a lot. Yes, childhood can be magical, but kids depend 100 percent on caregivers to make the magic happen. When it doesn’t, the results can be disastrous.
If you’re guilty of any of the following common parenting faux-pas, don’t panic. By making small, consistent adjustments to your parenting style, you can improve your family dynamic, saving your kids (and self) from stress, anxiety and, let's face it, some rather expensive therapy bills.